Alex knew that Selina would be attending the church service that Sunday. He had done a little research into the habits of Mrs Dorothy Crauford, knowing that she was a woman of habit and would stick to her routine even with visitors in her home. His whole body had hummed with anticipation as he waited for her arrival, but as the church continued to grow full with them nowhere in sight, his hopes had started to fail. He hardly heard what Lavinia had been saying to him, only answering with a noncommittal murmur here and there. She must have eventually become fed up because she crossed her arms and stared ahead in stony silence.
When Selina had finally arrived with her family, his hopes skyrocketed. It had been days since he had last seen her, and she was looking as beautiful as ever. She appeared wary as she walked down the aisle, taking care not to look on either side of her. Alex longed for her to glance his way just once, which she did. They held each other’s gaze for what seemed liked hours but in reality must have been seconds. There had been an explosion of heat, a chemistry that travelled along the air and filled him. She had to have been just as affected because she had stood rooted to the floor, unable to move. Eye contact broke when Ophelia nudged her, no doubt having just seen Thomas sitting next to him. He watched her take her seat, only a little disappointed that she did not turn around to look at him once again. Thomas tapped his arm, talking under his breath.
“Did you decide to come to church because you knew that Miss Seymour would be here?”
Alex only smiled, which earned him a nudge in the ribs.
“You might have told me! Did Ophelia see me?” he asked hopefully.
“She blushed, so she must have.”
“She blushed? Really?”
Alex was spared having to answer his friend when they were motioned to stand and sing the first hymn. He just hoped that he could catch them before they left. He knew that his chances were good because Mrs Crauford usually stayed behind to talk to the other church attendees. Alex found himself singing the hymn with great gusto as he contemplated speaking to Selina again.
Lavinia could very well tear her own hair out in frustration. One look at Selina and Alex had forgotten all about her. She had taken great care of her image that morning, making sure that her hair was just so and her dress was modest enough for church but eye catching at the same time. She had beamed with pleasure when Alex had made a favourable remark about her appearance, but now she might as well be invisible. She watched as Alex’s eyes continued to stray to where Selina sat, a torture for her. What does she have that I do not?
Lavinia heard the vicar speak on love and forgiveness, rolling her eyes as he droned on and on about it. Love and forgiveness? Pah! I live on power and control. Those soppy virtues have no place in my life unless I am the one being showered with love. She heard the soft snore of her father next to her and saw her mother nudge him awake. Lavinia had come to loathe being around her parents and wanted to escape them, but she would need a husband for that, a wealthy one. Alex was the perfect husband for her, but he just didn’t get that.
“For an intelligent man, you are an idiot,” she whispered.
“Did you say something, Lavinia?” her father asked.
What? Her father heard her and Alex didn’t? She knew that once the sermon was done, Alex would go to her. Do I follow or do I keep a respectful distance? Since when had she been respectful of other people? Perhaps to their faces, but as far as she was concerned, all people were to be used by her for her own gain–that was the only way that one got ahead in life. Lavinia slid a little closer to Alex, just shy of his leg. Look at me, you fool! I am right here–she does not want you!
Alex shifted, moving closer to Thomas. Had that been a deliberate move on his part? She snuck a look at his face. He doesn’t seem conscious of what he has done. She slid a little closer and waited to see what he would do. Sure enough, he shifted closer to Thomas once more. That confirmed her suspicion. For the first time since setting her sights on Alex, Lavinia wondered if she had made the right choice.
Chapter 11
Selina was aware of Alex approaching them before she actually saw him. It seemed that her senses had become sensitive to his presence, which was not a good sign for her. Ophelia excitedly yanked on her hand.
“They are coming this way, Selina. Oh, I can hardly bear it.”
Selina was glad that her sister was excited, all she felt was nausea rising up within her. Why is he coming this way? Why?
“Sir Russell, my good man,” her uncle exclaimed. “What brings you to church this morning? I thought you had declared yourself a heathen just this past month!”
Alex laughed, a sound that made her belly flutter.
“Mr Crauford, a man is allowed to change his mind. I made a deal with the man upstairs.”
“Why, that is surely blasphemous, Sir Russell!” her aunt gasped. “The good Lord will not be tried like that!”
“Oh, Dorothy,” her uncle sighed. “I’m sure that he says it in jest. But for interest’s sake, what was the deal?”
“A simple deal, really. I asked to see an angel in church this morning in exchange for more regular attendance.”
Selina could tell where this was going. It was a good thing that she was looking down, or everyone might have seen her blush.
“And did you?” Uncle Edmund asked.
“The most beautiful angel that I have ever seen. So I guess that I’ll be seeing you more often.”
Uncle Edmund roared with laughter, clapping his hand on Alex’s shoulder.
“You have your father’s humour, Sir Russell.”
“Thank you, Mr Crauford. I’ll take that as a great compliment.” He turned his attention to the women. “May I just say that you ladies look radiant this morning?”
“You are always ready with flattery, Sir Russell,” Aunt Dorothy commented.
“Yes, I suppose that I am, but only to those that deserve it. I cannot help but speak when I am in the presence of great beauty.”
Aunt Dorothy politely excused herself when she saw an old friend that she had been meaning to talk to. Without her aunt’s presence, Alex seemed to relax. Someone had thought to bring cake, so both her father and uncle excused themselves as well, leaving just Selina with her mother and sister.
“Where are my manners?” Alex said. “Let me introduce Thomas Pembrook. He is a friend of mine and a great businessman.”
Thomas gave a short bow. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs Seymour. I have had the pleasure of meeting your lovely daughters before this day.”
Thomas’ eyes strayed to Ophelia, colouring slightly when he noticed her own blush. They truly were quite sweet and seemed perfect for each other. It was just unfortunate that he was so closely associated with Alex.
“Oh? Where did you meet my daughters?”
“At my ball, Mrs Seymour, and again at the Mostyn residence.”
For the next five minutes or so, Alex engaged her mother in light conversation. He seemed quite comfortable, while she was a nervous wreck. Selina tried to act natural, more so for the benefit of the many pairs of eyes that were watching them. They must be waiting to see some sign that the rumours about Alex and I are true. I wish that he would just move away and give me some breathing space.
Selina tried to focus her mind on something other than the man standing before her, but her mind kept on being pulled in by his voice. She was tempted to block her ears, but that would undoubtedly attract attention. There was nothing for it; she would just need to suffer his presence until he moved away. Why does he affect me so? She resented how confident and comfortable he was talking to her mother, as though nothing was going on between them. Unless he has decided to leave me alone? He did look rather snug with Lavinia earlier on. Maybe he has set his attention on her. There was only one way to find out if he was no longer interested in her. She looked up and stared at him, willing him to look her way. She was playing with fire, but suddenly the need to know whether Alex had moved on or not consumed her thoughts. Sure
enough, Alex glanced her way, and it was electrifying.
Selina took a small step backwards, overcome by the smouldering heat in his eyes. It lasted for about five seconds before his attention returned to her mother once again. She daintily dabbed at the perspiration on her upper lip, feeling warm when the weather was bitterly cold. Her ears had taken on a ringing noise, an annoying result of her discomfort and slight anxiety. Feeling deaf, she rubbed her ears, willing her hearing to come back. Perhaps if I would just calm down, my hearing would return. Selina took to focusing on her breathing. In, and out. In, and out. Soon enough, she felt her body relax, and the ringing subsided. She just managed to catch the tail end of whatever her mother had been saying to her.
“Selina? Have you heard a word of what I just said?”
“Sorry, Mama. My mind was miles away.”
“My daughter is such a dreamer,” she apologetically explained to Alex. “Takes after her father.” She turned to Selina again. “I have seen a few people that I know and would like to speak with them.”
She wanted to protest. Leaving would mean that she would be alone with Alex, and that was the last thing that she wanted to happen. Ophelia would be no help because she was likely counting down the seconds to speak with Thomas without their mother’s interruption.
“I can go with you, Mama.”
“Nonsense! You young people can remain here and chat a bit more. This is a public setting–there is hardly any need for concern about propriety.”
Aunt Dorothy must not have told her mother about the rumours. Selina watched her mother walk away, wishing that she could follow her.
“Your mother is a charming woman, Selina.”
Her eyes slowly left her mother to look at Alex. Do not get into high fidgets for this man. Just calm down and maintain a respectable distance. He was smiling as he looked down at her, his teeth showing. She swallowed before speaking.
“She is a wonderful mother.”
She looked to her side. Ophelia and Thomas were already deep into a conversation that she could not hear because they had moved a few steps away. Traitor.
“How are you, Selina? It has been quite some time since I last saw you.”
“Good, thank you for asking, Sir Russell.”
Selina looked around, noticing that they had attracted more attention. Her aunt would not be happy about this. She wasn’t either, but it would be rude to walk away from a baronet.
“I am well, myself. Thank you for asking.”
She shot a narrowed gaze at him but said nothing.
“This weather is quite cold, isn’t it? But I feel quite warm, to tell the truth. Do you feel warm, Selina?”
His words were heavy with meaning. So, he is also feeling what I am feeling, but he is hiding his emotions better than I am. It wasn’t fair.
“I am all right, I assure you.”
Alex nodded. “You look well, Selina. Beautiful, really.”
“I would ask you kindly to stop saying things like that. I do not want people to hear you.”
He frowned. “Why? Is it a crime to compliment you?”
“Sir Russell, please.”
Her pleading seemed to get through to him because he nodded.
“I would not wish to cause you any discomfort, Selina.”
“I am sure that Miss Mostyn is waiting for you.”
Sure enough, Lavinia was looking this way, her expression murderous. Alex looked behind him and upon seeing her groaned.
“She is most insistent. Tell me, why is it that the only woman to have truly held my interest will have nothing to do with me, but I am being hounded by a woman who I have nothing in common with?”
Selina didn’t know what to say to that. Just say anything! Make him leave.
“I believe it foolish to pursue a woman who is not interested in you. It only makes sense to be with the one who wishes to be with you.”
Alex’s smile fell. “Denial is never healthy, Selina. I bid you a good day.”
Alex walked away from her, his back stiff, his steps brisk. He stopped for a moment at Thomas’ side, his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. Thomas gave a short bow before leaving Ophelia who immediately came to her.
“Oh, Selina,” Ophelia gushed. “Thomas is the kindest, most intelligent man in the world. He is quite handsome as well, don’t you think?”
Thomas’s fair looks were becoming on him, but Selina found that she preferred a darker look. Much like the man who had just walked away from her.
“Yes, handsome.”
Her sister continued to talk about Thomas as they waited for the rest of their family, but she only listened with half an ear. Her mind was still trying to reconcile Alex to the man that she had heard rumours about. Even now, there was little evidence to support those rumours, making her doubt them even more. Her heart had dispelled them from the beginning, but her mind had held onto them like a shield. I have yet to witness any signs of the rogue that people say he is, and he seems most kind. Could they be wrong?
It was a sad state indeed when her thoughts seemed to drift to Alex without much warning. Two weeks had passed since she had last seen him, and it bothered her. She kept herself busy with various activities, even going so far as to sit with her aunt and mother on some evenings instead of her usual reading in the library. That afternoon she was in the parlour with her mother under the pretence of writing letters to friends back home when what she really wanted to do was keep an eye on Ophelia and Thomas. He had finally approached her parents and asked to formally court Ophelia, and to her sister’s delight, they had readily agreed.
Thomas had made it his mission to try and see Ophelia on a daily basis, usually calling at the house in the morning, and leaving mid-afternoon. Selina wondered how he could be fulfilling his work duties when he was spending most of his time with Ophelia. Alex must have given him free time. The two were currently walking in the garden, having just had their afternoon meal. Her mother seemed eager for them to spend quality time together, not at all worried that her youngest daughter might be compromised. It was only Selina who seemed to have that fear. Ever since hearing about the rumours that had been spread, she had worried that the same thing would happen to Ophelia.
“Come away from that window, Selina,” her mother said. “Leave them be. Thomas is a respectable young man and will not act inappropriately with your sister.”
It wasn’t Thomas that she was worried about, but Ophelia. Her sister was so taken by the fair-headed young man that she had expressed her wishes to kiss him.
She looked at her mother sheepishly. “I was just looking at the birds, Mama.”
The older woman laughed. “And I am writing letters to the Prince Regent. Come away from there at once.”
Selina slowly turned away, but not before catching sight of the two lovebirds. The proximity of their bodies was what worried her. They were not touching yet, but there was every reason to believe that they would. What would stop the servants from seeing them and proceeding to spread a terrible rumour about her sister? The thought worried her to no end.
A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 19